This blog will start about my family and St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. My Great-great grandparents combine two of the early settlers, German/Swiss in 1720 and the Acadians a few years later. More recent generations go all over the eastern U.S.and I'll also get to them. I love to write,but my computer skills need development. I hope you enjoy this blog and have patience while I learn "how to do it"

No public schools in St. John Parish this year. In St. James and St. Charles the public schools will close at the end of this month.

We have received from the plantation of Andre Triche, Esq. of St. John, a stalk of sugar cane containing four red joints.

The courthouse road is getting worse every day. Cannot the police jury appropriate a few dollars and have the same repaired.

The fair in St. John was a success. It will net about $4000, half for Charity Hospital and the other to the Catholic Church of Father Badail, one of the best priests in Louisiana. Much of the success is due to Dr. Howards who planned the whole of the fair.

The police of St. James ordered all records in the clerk's office from 1809 to 1880 to be bound in volumes. This is a good example for our police jury to follow.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

In October 1895, J. L. Triche and Able Strauss were seated as recently appointed school board members. Also attending were Louis Ory, sheriff and Charles Elfer, assessor.

The report of the superintendent: There has been some complaints regarding the location of the school at Freetown in the 1st Ward and I would suggest that the school be moved to the place called Baumgarden a mile or so lower down where the board owns a building (now) occupied by a black church. There is also much complaint regarding the location at Paradis in the 4th ward. It is near the Southern Pacific Railroad and sometimes the children are interfered with by tramps. Besides which the congregation of the church are continually threatening to turn out the teacher. I would recommend that the school be located at Des Allemands or at Boutte, a few miles either way.

On 4 April 1896 the bills for the new schools, in Wards 2 and 3 are approved and ordered paid not to exceed $500 for each school. Ninety dollars is also approved to place lightning rods at all schools owned by the parish. Mr. A Strauss is authorized to paint the school recently erected at Madisonville at a cost not to exceed $22.40.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Page 51. Inquest was held on the body of Fanny Garner on 29 Mar 1881. The verdict was that she died on 28 Mar 1881 from the effect of a gun shot ball with a pistol shot in the hands of Achill Garner about 4 o'clock pm on the 17th of Mar 1881. The ball penetrated the stomach, went downward lacerating the left kidney, the womb, and stopping on the hipp (sic) bone, where it was extracted by the coroner. The said ball having caused internal hemoragie (sic), inflammation of the kidney and the death. The aforesaid Garner is yet in the custody of the sheriff, Jurors were W. A. Johnson, Harry McNervey, John C. Bently, Edward Roberts, Adolph Mojonnier and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

Page 52. Inquest was held on the body of Thomas Washingtom on 18 Feb 1881 being dead at E. Waggaman's Place, 4th Ward. The jurors' verdict was that he died from a strangulate hernia of which he was himself ignorant and these friends who attended him with care, had no idea that his life was in danger and so we find no blame. Jurors were Harry McNervey, Adolph Mojonnier, John Bently, Paul Bernard Fabares, Edward Beell and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

The Moonlight Store, Alceste Darensbourg, proprietor, dealer in general merchandise, groceries, boots, shoes and hats, plantation supplies--seven miles above Hahnville. Don't purchase elsewhere before examining my large and well selected stock. Buy here and you will save money and be happy.

Judge Hahn has come to the conclusion that the boys are too handy with their pistols, knives, etc. and has adopted a method of dealing with them that will make the luxury of carrying such things around rather expensive. From the "Baton Rouge Advocate."

Go to C. Roullier's this evening and treat your sweetheart to refreshments.

The 4th of July was celebrated with the usual appropriate ceremonies throughout our broad domain as well as in foreign lands.

Our sanctum and Hahnville have once more been favored with a visit from Mrs. Carrie Urban, a sister of Judge M. Hahn's and her esteemed daughters, Mrs. Mae and Miss Maggie, with her son Albert and grandson Urban.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Page 49. Inquest was held on the body of Benjamin Gross on 10th of February 1881. The verdict is that he died of Peritonite (sic) and infiltration of Serosity (sic) in the intesting (sic) ananague (sic) from poisoned blood caused by different agencies, as inflamation of the pleura and the interval muscles round the left lungs when, an old wound received by a pistol ball about four years ago reopened internally and principally for want of proper medical attendance, and further we found that the wound inflicted 8 August by Frank Robson was healed and all organs surrounding this wound having penetrated above the hips. Jurors were R. Pierre, Geo. Essex, Jerry Stevenson, Jules Ursin, J. H. Davis and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

Page 50. Inquest was held on the body of Henry Trovers on 22 February 1881. The verdict is that he was shot 20 February 1881 at about 11 o'clock, in the forearm by a revolving pistol in the hands of Major Charlie, now at large. Major Charlie fired three shots, two of which penetrated the the stomach, the colon, intestines, the liver and arterie (sic) aorta, producing an internal hemorgie (sic) fatal in a very short time. Two balls of the fatal shot having been extracted between the 6th and 7th ribs near the aorta arteries. Major Charlie did commit the said felony on the deceased which was in peace in the 1st Ward. Jurors were Coy Clinton, M. S. Cox, Abraham Sim, William Scott, Robert Pierre and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

I'm in Birmingham, AL this week and don't have all my information with me, so if someone else has an answer to the question, please let me know.

Michael wants to know which one of Karl Frederick D'arensburg's sons served in the German Coast Militia under Bernardo de Galvez during Louisiana's participation in the American Revolution 1775-1783. What year did Karl Frederick die?

I don't have the name of the book by Jack Holmes, but in 1798 Gayoso called the militia to action due to hostilities between the United States and France. One of these men was Pedro (Pierre) d'Arensburg from St. John the Baptist Parish, German Coast, age 41, robust health, single. His ranks were Carabineer on 1 July 1786 and Sublieutenant on 12 Feb 1793. He served in the Company of Distinguished Carabineer Militia of New Orleans for 5 years, 7 months, and 11 days and in the German Coast Disiplined Provincial Militia for 5 years and 11 months. He was good for his rank, supposed valor, good application, capacity and conduct.

Friday, May 21, 2010

In October 1888 there were new board members. The board members were J. L. Boutte, H. L. Young, A. Gassin, O. McLesan, T. T. Baudouin, Emile Rost, Leon Sarpy, and John Tregre. Mr. Owen McLesan was elected to act as parish superintendent.

The board was notified that the school in Des Allemands had been sold. They voted to construct a new school in the 2nd Ward. It was to be 33 x 25 feet and 12 feet high. The lot was to be 100 x 100 feet. The price was not to exceed $500 including desks, blackboards and heaters.

In April 1895 the board received a report on a school being built in Des Allemands. Charles Hopkins notified Mr. Youngs on March 25 that the building was completed and the committee could accept it after April 1, 1895. The cost of the building was $375 with $113 due in cash and the rest financed for two years at eight percent interest. Mr. Hopkins donated the lot and built the schoolhouse at no profit to himself. The board voted to send a note of thanks to Mr. Hopkins for his public spirit in making that donation.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

56. Sibille Heile (Sibylla Heil) of Elchingen, Suevia, Germany, Catholic, 37, widow of Wiedel. Two years on place, one and one-half arpents cleared, a good worker.

57. Johann Adam Edelmeire of Reiheim, Palatinate, Calvinist, 50, cooper, his wife, two boys, 10 and 14 years old. A daughter, Maria Barbara, married Lionnois, a sailor from Lyons. Three arpents cleared, two pigs. A very good worker who deserves attention.
1726-- Six arpents cleared.
1728-- Marie Christine Edelmeiere baptized.
1731-- Five children, one negro and two cows.

58. Philipp Zahn (Philippe Zoun) native of Grosshoeflein, Hungary, Catholic, 25, laborer, his wife. Three arpents cleared, two years on place, a pig.
1726-- One child, four arpents cleared.
1727-- As widower of Margarethe Wiethen(ine) Phillip Zahn married Marie Schlotterbecker of Wurtenburg, widow of Jacob Stalle and sister of the wife of Thomas Lesch.

The census then gives a passage of three arpents wide, leading from the river front to the Concession Of M. de Meure, which was about two miles above Hahnville.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

If you can find the August 1986 issue of the magazine "Country Living", it has several articles on "Romantic Louisiana." One I enjoyed was the article on "Acadian Textiles." It shows examples of blankets and linens woven by the Acadian women. There is also a picture of the type of shirt worn by the men. According to the article, one of the Acadian customs was for the mother to weave a lifetime supply of household linens for each of her daughters.

I'm coming to you from Montgomery, AL today. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page to see a moss covered tree. This picture was taken last month in Bayou Gauche, by my great-niece, Delaine, who lives near Birmingham, AL.

The two most frequent money terms are the piastre, which is equal to about one dollar, and the escalin, which is equal to about one cent. The term for a land measurement was the familiar forty arpents, which is equal to about one-half mile. The usual measurement of land was one arpent by forty arpents or 192 feet by 8000 feet. A pied was equal to about one foot.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

WOW!!! I'm on the list. I didn't expect to be included on any list this soon after I started my blog. Their statement on the choices says, "We wanted to identify and give recognition to websites which offered high-quality content, were innovative in topic or design, and which were frequently updated with new content. We also put some emphasis on finding hidden gems in the community, and bringing sites to attention which currently have relatively small audiences. As such, there are a number of lessor-known sites included, and a few more prominent sites unmentioned for the same reason."

Go to MyHeritage.com and check out some other blogs that may interest you.

I'm in Hattiesburg, MS this weekend and will be going to Montgomery and Birmingham, AL before the end of the month, but I brought my research material with me so that I can keep up with the material about St. Charles Parish.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Page 47. Inquest was held on 17th January 1881, by what means one certain Hall here lying dead in a cabin at Lone Star Plantation found his dead (sic) or lost his life, he being a stranger and unknown to the place. After hearing testimony from persons which saw him drinking at the store of one, Pegnere, 2nd Ward, at different times of the day previous of his death, at the night of the 16th, he went to an unoccupied cabin at Lone Star Place, where the coroner in our presence examined the corps (sic) and who found that said Hall met his death from a Scrotal Hermic (sic) or rupture produce (sic) or aggravated by drinking bad intoxicating liquor which produced the Hernia to be grangreded (sic) and completely mortified in 12 hours, and we further admit that for want of testimony we do not agree on who is to blame for the death of said Hall and so we give our finding. Jurors were Harry McNervey, Adolph Mojonnier, John Bently, August Armand, Paul Faverole, and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner. Filed March 12, 1881

Page 48. Inquest was held on the body of John Davis, age 14, on 22 January 1881. A pistol ball having been abstracted by the coroner, the verdict was that John Davis was fatally shot by a pistol in the hand and fired at him by Madison Peter, now at large, on 19 January 1881, at 1 o'clock p.m. The ball penetrated the left hip and further penetrated the Petris (sic) cavity, preforated (sic) the small intestine, the large intestine, and was extracted where lodged on the right side of the Or Illium (sic) causing hemoragie (sic) and inflamation (sic) of intestines, which produced and caused the death in 24 hours. He died at about 1 o'clock on 20 January 1881. Jurors were Paris Nelson, Azique Clement, Augustive Francois, Harry McNervey, Adolph Mojonnier and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

While I was going to college I had to write a 20 page research paper and decided to do research on the Creoles in Louisiana. This sent me to a different section of the library. And what do you know? I discovered another source of genealogical information.

Since most of my Louisiana ancestors are German or Acadian, I hadn't even thought about having Creole ancestors. I'll give you the original definition of Creole, a child of European parents who came to the New World. These parents were French and Spanish who came directly to Louisiana. Most of these people settled in New Orleans, but some had plantations in the rural areas and homes in the city, and others did settle in rural areas. A few names in my family who would be Creoles are Charpentier, Moutare, and Duplantis. The Chauvins are sometimes called Creoles, but I call them French-Canadians as these ancestors came from France to Montreal and Quebec, Canada before coming to Louisiana.

The Creoles have a heritage that is different from the Acadians and Germans and I found it very interesting reading. This adds another chapter to the kinds of people that formed my heritage.

Two of the books that have a lot of genealogical information are "New Orleans, the Glamour Period.1800-1840" by Albert Fossier and "Creole Families of New Orleans" by Grace King. These books can be found in section 976.335. The first book is advertised as having more than 1000 names of people in New Orleans between 1800-1840. These are people of all nationalities, but there is one chapter devoted to the Creoles and their lifestyle.

The second one has a separate chapter om about 38 families of New Orleans. There is no index to show the many names of several generations and who they married. One of the families she writes about from St. Charles is the D'Arensburg, who was one of the early settlers on the German Coast.

Many of these Creole men had children with black women and these children became known as Creoles of color. One book records the lives of 50 of these families in the middle and late 1800's. It is "Our People and Our History" by Rodolphe Lucien Desdundes.

If you have Creole ancestors be sure to check out this section of the library.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

52. Andre Strimphle (Andreas Struempfl) of Ottersheim. near Fort Kehl, Baden, 23, Catholic, his wife and two daughters. Two arpents cleared, two years on place, a cow and calf, two pigs.
1728--Anna Barbara Struempfl baptized. Another daughter, Agnes, married, about 1748, Johannes Ettler of Colmar, Alsace.
1731--Three children and two cows.
**note--Andreas Strimphle is my 10 gg grandfather through Anna Barbara who married Jean Frederich Toups.

54. Jacques Poche, native of St. Omer in Artois, 45. shoemaker, his wife.

55.Joseph Wagensbach (Waguepak) native of Schwobsheim, Upper Alsace, 23, Catholic, laborer, his wife. One and 1/2 arpents cleared, two years on place.
1726--One child and six arpents cleared.
1731--Three children, two Negroes, two cows.

Monday, May 10, 2010

We have seen the number of schools rise from 10 in 1879 to 13 in 1887. The school term also increased from four months to six months.

In Jan 1888 the board received a report that there had been an increase of 173 students attending school. Due to this they voted to open 15 schools in February 1888 for a term of five months. These would be six schools for white children and nine schools for black children. New schools would be one for white children at Red Church in the 5th Ward and one for black children at Boutte Station in the 4th Ward.

The Cross Tie and Lumber Company of New Orleans have cut and made 4652 ties on school property in the 16th Section, Township 14, Range 21 East and offer to pay three cents per tie according to R. W. Rogers, agent of the company.

The schoolhouse on Longue's Place was sold for $35 to Mr. A. Levy. The board authorized Mr. Young to sell the schoolhouse and lot at Bayou Des Allemands.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Have you ever been on a boat ride through the bayous to see what kind of land our ancestors first found in Louisiana? This would not be anything new for many people in this area, but I'd never been in any uninhabited area of Louisiana until a few years ago. This will give you a feeling of what your ancestors saw and felt when they reached a place where no one lived before and knew it was up to them to build a farm with only a couple hand tools. I don't think many of us could even last a week if we had to rely on our own efforts to survive. I went primitive camping once for several weeks to get a feel of what my ancestors had to go through, but I brought food with me that could be cooked on an open fire and I knew I was only a couple miles from civilization if I had an emergency. It still was quite an experience and I really appreciated not having to live that way when I came home.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Married at the residence of the bride's mother, 420 Camp St., New Orleans, on Tuesday evening, Jan 1, Mr Charles J. O'Shaughnessy to Miss Margaret F. Urban. The bride is the youngest and most charming neice of Ex. Gov. Michael Hahn.

We have yet to hear of a single authenticated "infamous deed" perpetuated by Gen. Butler while in New Orleans, unless the cleaning and improvement of the streets, the feeding of the hungry, the protection of the people in all their rights and the honest administration of city affairs by a federal officer may be called by that name.

"The Iberville South-- Does it ever occur to our citizens that it costs but little trouble to plant shade trees. A hundred percent would be added to the appearance and comfort of the town, were a little attention paid to this decoration." We have been preaching the same doctrine to our people of Hahnville. Very few, however, have acted on our advice. Mr. McLaren, the surveyor, is an honorable exception. His neighborhood is a perfect park, shady and beautiful.

Churches in the parish were: Our Lady of the Rosary at Star Plantation and Red Church, minister, Rev.Father G. A. Jobard; Baptist Church in Hahnville, ministe, Rev Bazile Ollage and St. James M. E. Church on Roseline St., Hahnville, minister, Rev. Simon Evans.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Page 45. Inquest was held on the body of James Williams at Freetown, on 30 Dec 1880, before Coy Clinton, 1st Ward Justice of the Peace. Jurors' verdict is that on Tuesday night, 28 December 1880, the deceased came to his death being frozen to death under the influence of liquor. Jurors were Wash. Taylor, Handy Washington, C. A. Bourgeois, Robert Pierre, Alcide Diendonnie, and Coy Clinton, Acting Coroner.

Page 46. Inquest was held on th 4th day of May 1880 to inquire by what means the corps(sic) of Richard Sloen, here lying dead in the 2nd Ward, found floating in the River by John Bentley on the evening of the 3rd, died. After hearing testimony of witnesses and being identified as Richard Sloen, aged 45 years, a blacksmith by trade, born in Nashville Tennessee, resident of this parish last past 16 years, the jurors declare the deceased suicied(sic) by drowning himself in front of J. B. Gassen's Store when suffering of a attack of Delerium Tremen(sic) and said Sloen leaving no property and not being claimed by family or friend was buried by the Coroner at the conclusion of the inquest on this 5th day of May 1880. Jurors were Bonrin Poydras, Henry Frey, William Finney, August Armand, John Bentley and J. F. Mojonnier, Coroner. Filed 7th January 1881.

50. Friedrich Merkel (Frederic Melquet) from Wurtemberg, Catholic, 30, butcher, his wife Marianne Kohleisen. A good worker with 16 verges cleared. Two years on place, 2 pigs.
1726--Four arpents cleared. In this year Friedrich Merkel married Anna Barbara Friedrich, daughter of Conrad F. and Ursula Frey. See #2. Merkel's name appears last in the census of 1727. Anna Barbara Friedrich, his widow, married Nik Wincher. See #2.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

We have received from Mr. Leon Sarpy, left bank, a fine stalk of sugar cane, containing seven well developed red joints.
The water tank which was located near St. Charles Station on the Texas and Pacific Railroad has been removed to Davis Station, below Hahnville.
Special attention is called to the circular issued by J. W. Fairfax, World's Fair and Cotton and Exposition, to be held in New Orleans.
Evening bathing in the Mississippi River is now the fashionable sport and recreation of Hahnville's boys. Better or more healthy exercise, at proper times, they could not have.
Hahnville needs a permanent doctor. Dr. Elmore, although doing very well here, considering our general good health, has accepted greater inducements and moved to St. John. If any young doctor, of good character, wishes to be located in a pleasant place and be satisfied with a moderate practice, Hahnville offers him the best inducements.
The committee appointed to examine the accounts of the late B. L. Labranche, sheriff and ex-officio tax collector, and settle with his sureties made their report to that body on the 2d. inst. The deceased was indebted to the parish in the sum of $2,063.09 subject to about $511 due him by the parish. It is said that his indebtedness to the state exceeded $2000, which amount the sureties, Messrs. Rost and Sarpy, must pay. The sureties' liabilities amount to about $3500.
R. Viterbo, Esq., the proprietor of the "Edmee", formerly Luling Plantation, in order to keep up with this age of progress, has obtained a new locomotive to run on the narrow guage railroad, lately constructed, between his place on the riverfront and his sawmill in the rear, 5 1/2 miles distance- for the purpose of transporting lumber and sugarcane from the vicinity of Boutte Station and beyond to be purchased by the ton. It will run on his land also to be of great assistance to him, in conveying his crop of sugarcane, nearly 1000 acres, to his complete and extensive mill near the riverfront.